1. Why "Mama" Means Food in Playing House
When you hear "mamagoto," you might imagine a child putting sand or leaves on a small plate and saying, "Dinner is ready!" In this context, "mama" is a baby word for rice or food. Old books explain that it is a game for learning to cook and make different dishes [1].
However, the meaning of the second part, "goto," differs by dictionary. The *Sekai Daihyakka Jiten* (World Encyclopedia) reads "goto" as referring to special days called "hare." Hare days are festivals or celebrations that are separate from daily life [1]. According to this theory, playing house originally meant imitating the special meals served on festival days.
Since experts do not agree on which explanation is correct, this article focuses on "mama" meaning food. It treats the idea of "goto" as one possible theory. So, besides cooking, what else happens in this game?
2. How Playing House Imitates Adult Life: Cooking, Guests and Gifts
Dictionaries state that playing house centers on imitating adult life [1]. This includes cooking meals, welcoming guests, giving gifts, and visiting homes. Interestingly, the game has many different names depending on the region. The *Sekai Daihyakka Jiten* lists names like "Jajabokko" in Akita Prefecture, "Okatasagoto" in Nara Prefecture, and "Kubarigoto" in the Hida region [1]. This shows that the same game was called by many different names across Japan.
There is also a connection to seasonal customs. Girls used to cook food outdoors during festivals like Hinamatsuri and Obon, then eat it together [1]. Some sources say playing house originated from these festival customs. However, this is only one explanation; it is not confirmed as the single origin of the game.
When children imitate special meals with their own hands, it connects to the theory about "hare" days mentioned earlier. But how far back does this tradition go?
3. Hiina Asobi: A Court Game from 1,000 Years Ago
In the middle of the Heian period, about 1,000 years ago, there was a court game called "hiina asobi" [2]. It appears in famous literature like *The Tale of Genji* and *The Pillow Book* [2].
According to a doll shop called Kyugetsu, the game involved dolls made of paper or simple cloth, along with tiny tools that imitated everyday items from that time [2]. It was similar to modern playing house. The center of the game was a pair of "hiina" dolls representing a husband and wife [2].
It is important to note that we cannot say this is the direct origin of mamagoto. The doll shop describes it only as a game "like modern playing house." This article calls hiina asobi a game "close to" playing house. One key feature of playing house—making adult tools smaller and pretending they are for people or families—was already present in this court game.
4. Were Miniature Tools in Ancient Tombs Toys?
The *Nihon Daihyakka Zensho* (Encyclopedia of Japan) mentions that miniature replicas of daily items and weaving tools have been found in tombs from the Kofun period (3rd to 7th centuries) [1]. But were these children's toys?
According to a report by the National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, Nara, archaeologists study small cooking tools found in stone burial chambers as being linked to rituals before the tomb or items buried with the dead [3]. We cannot say for sure that they were toys for children's play.
While miniature cooking tools look like playing house props because they imitate food, their purpose may have been different. Therefore, this article focuses mainly on games after the hiina asobi period. So, what materials were used for tiny tools after that?
5. How Toy Materials Changed from Wood and Bamboo to Tin and Plastic
The *Nihon Daihyakka Zensho* explains how toy materials changed over time [1]. In the Edo period, toys were made of wood or bamboo. In the Meiji period, tin became common. In the Showa era, aluminum and celluloid were used. After World War II, plastic became popular [1].
Tin is a thin iron plate coated with tin. Celluloid was a light, easy-to-shape material often used for old toys. It is possible that materials changed because they were familiar or easy to make at the time. However, sources do not state this explicitly, so we only record the fact that materials changed in order.
In Edo, a shop called Nanazawaya was known for making detailed miniature doll tools [4]. Exhibition reports have introduced these items [4]. Tiny tools did not just change materials; their shapes also changed to reflect the objects found in homes at that time.
6. How Miniature Toys Reflect Daily Life in Each Era
In the late 1800s, people began feeling nostalgic for old Edo. Small toys representing street vendors and stalls were made [4]. In the 1950s, miniature appliances appeared, such as washing machines with rollers to squeeze clothes and black-and-white TVs with four legs [4].
Today’s children might wonder, "Did you really use a roller to wring out laundry?" Miniature tools capture the inside of homes from that era. The *Britannica International Encyclopedia* states that playing house is not just play; it is a process of preparing for adult life [1]. While it was often considered a girls' game in the past, boys also played it.
When imitating someone’s life, people observe them closely and think about their actions. Both the makers of tiny tools and the players were observing the lifestyle of their time. So, what items from today could we make into miniatures?
7. Try It Yourself: Make a Miniature of Something from Today's Life
You can make a miniature tool using things found at home, like empty boxes, lids, or yarn [5]. Choose one item, such as a refrigerator or smartphone. Before making it, observe the real object carefully. How many buttons does it have? Which way does the door open? This helps you notice the shape of things you use every day.
Just as Showa-era washing machines had rollers, today’s tools may have parts that future generations will ask about. When making these, use scissors with an adult and be careful not to let small beads or parts get into a young child's mouth.
You can see real miniature tools at the Japan Toy Museum in Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture. It has held special exhibitions on "Japanese and World Playing House Tools" [5]. The museum holds about 90,000 items from around 160 countries [5]. Please check the official guide for current exhibitions.